Solomon Islands drops Taiwan from concessional entry list

By Pacific Island Times News Staff

(Island Sun/PacNews) The Solomon Islands government has removed Taiwan from its list of countries eligible for concessional entry arrangements, a move that may deepen regional tensions ahead of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting in Honiara this September.

The updated list was published in the latest Solomon Islands Gazette on June 24.

It now includes 92 countries across Oceania, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, South America, and North America.

The legal notice came into effect on June 6 and repeals previous notices issued in 2017, 2024, and earlier this year.

A separate legal notice, issued in the Extra-Ordinary Gazette on April 21 by then-minister for commerce, Harry Kuma, confirmed the formal revocation of Taiwan’s concessional entry status under Legal Notice No. 10 of 2017.

The move further distances Honiara from Taipei, following the country’s diplomatic switch from Taiwan to China on Sept. 20, 2019.

Observers warn the decision could have broad implications for Taiwan’s diplomatic standing in the Pacific and its involvement in regional bodies, particularly the Pacific Islands Forum.

Taiwan, a development partner of the Forum since 1993, now faces uncertainty over its attendance at this year’s summit, scheduled for Sept. 8-12 in Honiara.

Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele told local journalists on July 21 that the Cabinet is finalizing its decision on Taiwan’s participation.

“Cabinet is close to concluding its deliberations on the matter,” he said.

Taiwan has expressed its intention to send a delegation to the summit and is preparing to host its annual Taiwan-Pacific Islands Forum Dialogue, despite challenges posed by the Solomon Islands.

Taiwan’s exclusion could reignite tensions among PIF member states, particularly its remaining three diplomatic allies in the region—Palau, the Marshall Islands and Tuvalu.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr has warned that blocking Taiwan’s participation could trigger a split within the Forum, similar to the political fracture that disrupted the organization in 2021.

Whipps stressed that Palau must be able to meet with its diplomatic partner during the Forum and voiced concern that Taiwan was “having some difficulty gaining access” to the Honiara meeting.

This year’s Forum summit is expected to focus on critical regional issues, including climate change, sustainable development, regional security, and economic resilience.

Leaders from across the Pacific are expected to attend.

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